'It's rugby, there are collisions,' says Everitt as Sharks scrumhalf faces sanction for red card

Sharks head coach Sean Everitt said officials should be mindful that collisions are bound to happen in rugby after his scrumhalf Grant Williams was red-carded for a head-on collision with Bulls flyhalf Chris Smith.

The Sharks beat the Bulls 29-22 at Loftus on Saturday in a game when both teams had players sent off, beginning with Morne Steyn's red card for a late, neck-high hit on Sharks skipper Lukhanyo Am.

Am shook off the tackle and even shared a compassionate giggle with Steyn as officials deliberated, but that did not ameliorate the sanction, which came as early as 10 minutes into the game.

AS IT HAPPENED | Sharks 29-22 Bulls

Everitt didn't question referee AJ Jacobs' call to send Springbok scrumhalf Williams off and fully expected it per the current rugby laws but admitted to feeling frustrated by such decisions.

"It's always a difficult one," Everitt said.

"There's a lot of emphasis that's been put on head contact. We know we are in a contact game, and sometimes there are going to be collisions and head-on-head clashes.

"I was watching the game (on Friday night) between Edinburgh and Leinster, and there was a similar incident which was a yellow.

"I think we need to be mindful that it is rugby, and that's the thing that frustrates me a little bit. If you go maliciously on the head, then there's a problem.

"The way I saw it, Grant was a little bit unlucky, and I hope he doesn't get sanctioned too hard for that.

"He's shooting off the line, and if the guy steps or whatever and you get the adjustment wrong, accidents do happen.

"In saying that, the law is there in black and white. If you're looking at it so many times - there is a collision and an injury - at that stage in the (coaches') box, I didn't have any doubt that Grant